KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — It may be just an old abandoned fire station to most of us, but to Mayor Bobby Hopewell, it’s an opportunity that could be turned into something special with the right idea and the right source of revenue to make it happen.
Fire Station #1 on Cedar near Rose Street has served several functions for the city, including housing the big ladder trucks that were purposely kept close to the city center and the tall buildings.
It’s also been a training center for Public Safety and Hopewell says it was where he trained to become an Emergency Medical Technician.
He says it’s the only building the city owns downtown that it’s not currently using.
He says they should examine other amazing cities and determine what they have that Kalamazoo doesn’t have.
Last night a couple dozen residents, architects, and city officials got together to brainstorm ideas for the property.
They came up with open air markets, incubtors, community space for art, a youth center and other ideas.
City planners will take the information gleaned from the session and try to put together a plan.
